Armed Police arrest three men in late night London Bridge terror attack operation

Dan Windham

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of terror offences in east London following a series of raids involving armed police.

Counter-terror police arrested two men in Ilford, east London, on Wednesday night in connection with the London Bridge atrocity.

Two men were arrested on one street in Ilford, including a 27-year-old on suspicion of the preparation of terrorist acts while another, aged 33, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs.

A third man, aged 29, was later arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences, after a warrant was carried out at a residential address in Ilford.

Eight people were killed and dozens injured when three men launched a van and knife rampage on Saturday night.

All three attackers were shot dead by police.

In a seperate incident, two men aged 34 at 37 were held at separate addresses in Newham, while a third man aged 33 was arrested at an address in Waltham Forest.

All three were detained on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of terrorism offences and have been taken for questioning at a south London police station.

The raids by detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command, supported by armed police, are not connected to the London Bridge attack, Scotland Yard said.

The operation took place overnight and searches are ongoing at the properties, the force said.